“You’re not telling me something.”
Rordan looked into Fianna’s silver eyes. She searched his gaze, waiting for him to answer. But he couldn’t. She had admitted that she would do anything for her family. He had to assume that she was part of everything Dorcha was doing—even if Rordan wished otherwise. However, he knew better than anyone that wishing something away didn’t make it so.
Given the determination settling over her face, Rordan had to come up with something to say. So, he told her something as close to the truth as he could. “I’m troubled about Ruarc.”
“Are you two close? I got the impression you had just met.”
“We did,” Rordan admitted. “But we get on well.”
Fianna’s lips pressed together. “And both of you were singled out by Dorcha last night.”
Rordan didn’t bother to respond to the statement. He watched Fianna carefully, noting the frustration she fought to keep hidden. It bubbled over anyway. He thought about asking her about it, but he wouldn’t believe anything she said, no matter how she answered. She was with Dorcha, after all.
And that bothered him. There was no other way to say it. Rordan was aware that it was because he was attracted to her. Hell, even standing with her now challenged him not to touch her, to pull her against him, to lower his head to her lips. They were alone, something that wouldn’t happen while at Moorehall. Sure, he’d had a few moments with her last night by the lough, but with the way Dorcha watched over her, that likely wouldn’t happen again. If he were ever going to know the taste of her kiss, now was the moment.
Rordan let it pass him by.
“What now?” Fianna asked.
“I don’t know.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly. “I have to find Ruarc.”
“Because those two Fae need to move? Plenty of others can help them find something.”
Fianna hastily looked away. Rordan stared at her intently. Obviously, there was much more to Ruarc than he’d first thought.
“Now look who isn’t sharing,” he stated. When she didn’t look at him, much less answer, Rordan thought out loud. “Ruarc has many holdings all over Ireland—and most likely the world. Your family did a favor for his, putting him in debt to yours. In return, he procured locations for Dorcha to have his meetings, gathering particular kinds of people to his…organization.”
“A dream my father had that Dorcha is fulfilling,” Fianna replied.
Rordan raised a brow. “And you aren’t?”
“I’m with him, aren’t I?”
It wasn’t an answer, and they both knew it. Rordan let it go for now. “Ruarc wasn’t sure why Dorcha invited him to stay at the manor. Dorcha singled out Ruarc at the dinner table so that everyone could hear his request, which then put Ruarc in a tenuous position. Chiefly because he said he couldn’t help the two Fae. And Dorcha wouldn’t take no for an answer. What is so important about those two Fae? Why does it have to be Ruarc who helps them?”
Fianna shrugged, refusing to meet his gaze.
There were few options for why the two Fae were so important, and he knew it had nothing to do with nobility. He hadn’t recognized the names, and from the looks of those around the table, none of the others did either. But Ruarc had.
“Who are Casey and Patrick?” he pressed Fianna.
She glanced at him and shrugged again. “Two associates of my brother.”
“Not your family?”
“I’ve heard their names, but I’ve never met them.”
“But you know who they are.”
She turned her head and blew out a breath. “I need to get back to the manor.”
“I’m not holding you here. You can leave anytime.”
But she stayed, giving him hope that she might divulge some piece of information. After several silent moments, she looked at him. “Ruarc runs a good business. He’s respected and highly sought out. However, there is another side to his business that he’s been unable to extract himself from, and that is the many and various debts and favors his family owes.”
“And those people come to him to call in favors or debt, just as your family did.”
Fianna’s nose wrinkled. “Precisely. I was never comfortable with it, but our family has had issues of our own—as I’m sure you know.”
“I don’t listen to gossip.”
Her head tilted to the side as her brows drew together. “You may be the only Fae in existence.”
“I highly doubt that.”
“I don’t,” she replied with a bite to her tone. She drew in a deep breath. “You really don’t know?”
He shook his head.
“You didn’t find it odd that you never hear Dorcha use a surname?”
Rordan crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t use one. I don’t give much credence to such things.”
“Only someone who comes from a wealthy family would say such things.”
“Is that right?”
She snorted softly as she nodded. “Oh, yes. After what you said last night, and then just now.”
“So, what if I did?”
“You found your way without your family. I lost my way without mine.”
He shot her a dubious look. “I don’t believe that for a moment.”
“Do you know my family’s name?” she pressed.
“No.”
“If you did, you might not be standing with me now, much less staying at Moorehall.”
Rordan’s arms dropped to his sides at her statement. “If that were the case, then I imagine few know who you are. I’ve not heard anyone ask for a surname.”
“Family means everything to my father. He raised Dorcha and me by himself. He has always been outspoken regarding what he sees for the future of the Fae. And for that, people have made attempts on his life. It’s why his location is only known to Dorcha and me. When the scandal happened, my brother and I were very young. Da took us away to raise away from gossip and hate, but he told us everything when we were old enough.”
The shame in her eyes and bearing infuriated Rordan. “You shouldn’t carry the weight of the past, especially when it had nothing to do with you. A father should never do such a thing to his children.”
“Maybe not. He did the best he could on his own.”
“And your mother?”
Fianna’s gaze dropped to the ground as she sat there for a moment. “She is the reason my father had to take us away. She’s the reason there was a scandal at all.”
The more she talked, the more Rordan wanted to know her family name. He didn’t like Dorcha, and he wasn’t too keen on her father either. “What is your surname?”
“Who is your family?” she asked in response.
Rordan blinked, taken aback by her question. Although, he should’ve seen it coming. It didn’t matter if he wanted to tell her or not. He couldn’t.
“That’s what I thought,” she said when he remained silent.
“There are reasons I don’t give you an answer.”
Fianna smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Same.”
He needed to get them back on safer ground. “Is there anywhere else you can think of to look for Ruarc?”